"I Never Compromised On The Team's Interests'

The 37-year-old captain, the mainstay of Pakistan's batting for years, saidthe World Cup group tie against Zimbabwe on Wednesday would be his last one-dayer,a match he wanted to dedicate it to Woolmer who died on Sunday.

Inzamam's decision, which was very much on the cards after the team's botchedWorld Cup campaign, means that Pakistan will have a new one-day captain who willhave to revive the fortunes of a talented but unpredictable team.

Although the burly batsman, one of the top performers for Pakistan with11,702 runs from 377 ODIs and 8,813 Test runs from 119 matches, wants tocontinue playing in the longer version, his future as captain would be decidedby the PCB.

Inzamam said that he discussed the issue with Woolmer,before making up his mind.

"A lot of people may think that this was not the right time to announceretirement but Woolmer agreed with me," he said at a press conference inJamaica on Sunday.

"The Zimbabwe match will be the last one. Leading Pakistan was a greathonour and these last three years have been the most memorable for me."

It was his fifth World Cup and his dream of winning it as a captain wouldremain unfulfilled. "I wanted to go on a high but this was not in myfate," he said.

"I have also talked with my father on the phone and have decided toretire from one-day cricket after the Zimbabwe match," Inzamam said.

Pakistan went out of World Cup reckoning after their stunning loss to Irelandin a league match on Saturday, a day before Woolmer, a former England batsman,died in a local hospital after being found unconscious in his hotel room.

"We will play the last match for our coach, who was not only a greatcoach but a great human being and a personal friend," the Multan batsmansaid.

"We can never overcome the tragedy and would always remember him."

Inzamam burst on the international scene at the 1992 World Cup in Australiawhere his sizzling knocks in the semi-final and final helped Pakistan to theirmaiden win.

Inzamam suggested that he would be available for playing inTests.

"I will be willing to serve Pakistan cricket in any capacity and wouldbe playing Test cricket, if needed, as a player," he said.

"I always gave my best and never compromised on the team's interests. Iapologise to the fans for our disappointing show in the World Cup.

"I want to be remembered as an honest player, someone who takes pride inplaying for my country, and would always be available to help Pakistan cricket'scause," he added.